Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid personality disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and a mental disorders examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA audiologist examination. The issues of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are inextricably intertwined with the adjudication of his tinnitus claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to fully adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The Veteran's schizophrenia was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is current disability and a link between her in-service stressors and her current symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend the previously scheduled hearing at the Central Office (CO). He will be rescheduled for a Board hearing at the local RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to his request for a new videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, was denied as there is no evidence of a stressor related to his claimed in-service events. The Board also found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any acquired psychiatric disorder or psychosis was incurred during service.

The Veteran's PID and PTSD were found to be incurred during active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorders, right ear disorder, and chronic headache disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to his active service or any presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims file.

The Veteran's claims for chronic liver disease, including hepatitis C; kidney disorder; and psychiatric disability (depression) have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a connection to service.

The Veteran's schizophrenia has been rated at 100 percent since September 17, 2004. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to that date is moot as the rating for schizophrenia alone meets the criteria for a total disability rating.

The Veteran's service did not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for VA pension benefits due to her short period of active duty and lack of wartime service. The Board denied her claim as she does not have a legally valid basis for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The VA determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and has not been shown to be related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability (including bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorder), and migraine headaches. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication, including an examination to determine if the current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports her current psychiatric disabilities, which are likely related to in-service stressors and domestic abuse.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent effective October 3, 2008. His right knee disability and his residuals of excision of the right radial head with traumatic arthritis are both rated at 20 percent each.